Read Online Forever Young: Blessing or Curse (Always Young Trilogy) by Morgan Mandel - Free Book Online Page A

have already benefited from the fruits of my labors.”  He turned to
pluck an orange off an adjacent tree. The audience gazed spellbound.
    “You’ve
lost weight, lowered your cholesterol, some have even brightened your teeth.”
He flashed a glittery smile. The audience tittered.
    He
threw out the orange, resulting in a mad scramble. When the commotion had died,
he continued. “This time, ladies and gentlemen, I’ve discovered something far
more valuable than anything I’ve offered in the past. What I have in my
possession, which I’m willing to share, will make every health aid obsolete.
Forget about growing old, with all its debilitations. From now on, you can
possess the power to regain your lost youth and become whatever age you desire.
Not only that, you’ll retain that age and never grow old.  
    “You
may ask, ‘How is that possible?”
    He
paused for effect, then whispered, “Because I’ve discovered an age-reversing
drug, a veritable Fountain of Youth.”
    As
his words sank in, whispers began. Did the audience believe him or doubt his
sanity? She’d not thought such a miracle possible either, but her own body
proved otherwise.  
    “Let
me show you an example. Draw the blinds, please.” 
    At
Roman’s command, stage hands rolled down the shades over the windows and
skylight. As the room darkened, a screen appeared. He clicked the projector’s
remote. The first illustration, one of Dorrie’s before photos, flashed into
relief. Roman trained his infrared pointer on portions of her anatomy. “Here
you see a shot of our pioneer model, Dorrie Donato. Note a normal, somewhat attractive
woman with typical aging factors, evidenced by a thickened waist, spider veins,
wrinkles, loss of skin suppleness.”
    Had
she looked that horrid? Dorrie’s face grew hot. She glanced toward the doorway,
wishing she could escape, but knowing it was impossible, even if she weren’t
flanked by guards. More embarrassing photos followed the first. After what
seemed an eternity, the lights flickered on, the blinds opened, and once again
sunlight poured down.
    Roman
motioned to Dorrie. She stepped forward onto the stage. “Now, ladies and
gentlemen, here’s the after.”
    As
instructed, Dorrie turned slowly. Then, with a flair, she loosened the kimono’s
sash and handed the garment to Roman. She pirouetted gradually, revealing her
supple body in the buttercup bikini, doing her best to ignore the “Oohs and
Ahs” arising from the audience.
    What
parts of her did they stare at? She knew she looked better than before, but the
sensation of being gaped at felt strange.
    “Thank
you, Dorrie,” Roman said, coming up behind her and sliding the kimono back over
her shoulders. She tied the sash with trembling fingers.
    He
stepped beside her. “Now, Dorrie, would you like to tell the audience how
Forever Young has changed your life?”
    This
part was easy. She’d gladly sing the praises of the miracle pill. “Words can’t
express my gratitude for being chosen as the first recipient of this marvelous
invention. The Forever Young pill is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.
I’m now young and vibrant, and no longer the victim of aging.”
    “Do
you see any reason why someone would not to take the pill?”
    “I
confess at first I was hesitant, wondering if there’d be some kind of horrible
side effects. I’m happy to say it’s been over three months since I started the young
pill, and I’ve suffered no ill effects whatsoever. I’m so glad I listened to my
heart and went ahead. I love the new me. I feel so much better, and people
can’t believe I’m the same person as before.”
    “Thank
you, Dorrie, for your sincere testimony.”
    As
the guards escorted her back to her mark, she breathed a sigh of relief. Thank
God, that was over. How could she ever learn to be an exhibitionist? It
wouldn’t be easy, but she must do her best. Her looks and money were at stake.
    She
watched Roman resume center stage. With a